Protein powder: When? why and how? Help needed

ANewWayToLive
ANewWayToLive Posts: 31 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I'm totally new when it comes to Protein powder. Everyone seems to use them, add them to shakes and etc but I wonder what's the benefits of it? Should I replace a meal by a protein shake? (Like Slimfast)? Should I take them before a workout or after? And when if I don't lift heavy weights? Should I use protein powder everyday? I have no clue at all!! Looking to get answers to see if it's something I should add to my daily nutrition or not. Thank you :)

Replies

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    You don't need protein powder unless you are not meeting your protein goals with food alone. I would also not consider slim fast a protein powder, it is a meal replacement. I use Quest powder because it has a very high protein to calorie ratio (20-22g protein for 100 calories.) I use it to make protein fluff or shakes/smoothies and eat it as a snack after working out. I also lift weights, so want to make sure to get good protein. Eating higher protein and less sugar also helps curb my sweet tooth and munchies.
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member
    ANewWayToLive wrote: »
    Hi! I'm totally new when it comes to Protein powder. Everyone seems to use them, add them to shakes and etc but I wonder what's the benefits of it? Should I replace a meal by a protein shake? (Like Slimfast)? Should I take them before a workout or after? And when if I don't lift heavy weights? Should I use protein powder everyday? I have no clue at all!! Looking to get answers to see if it's something I should add to my daily nutrition or not. Thank you :)

    Getting a sufficient protein intake to help rebuild muscle broken down by exercise, or if in calorie deficit to help maintain the muscle mass you have.

    Its not a meal replacement so no. Its used to supplement not replace.

    Timing isn't that important, some say otherwise but as long as you're meeting your goals over 24hrs timing is irrelevant.

    No you don't have to use it everyday. As I mentioned above its used to supplement, if you are under your protein goal everyday it will aide you. If you are going above your daily goal, taking it everyday is just going to hurt your pocket.


    The short of it, its no miracle muscle builder. If you struggle to meet your daily protein goal or are in heavy calorie deficit a powder will be beneficial. If you have a structured diet and meet your goal, save your money.


  • ANewWayToLive
    ANewWayToLive Posts: 31 Member
    JoshuaMcAllister wrote: »
    ANewWayToLive wrote: »
    Hi! I'm totally new when it comes to Protein powder. Everyone seems to use them, add them to shakes and etc but I wonder what's the benefits of it? Should I replace a meal by a protein shake? (Like Slimfast)? Should I take them before a workout or after? And when if I don't lift heavy weights? Should I use protein powder everyday? I have no clue at all!! Looking to get answers to see if it's something I should add to my daily nutrition or not. Thank you :)

    Getting a sufficient protein intake to help rebuild muscle broken down by exercise, or if in calorie deficit to help maintain the muscle mass you have.

    Its not a meal replacement so no. Its used to supplement not replace.

    Timing isn't that important, some say otherwise but as long as you're meeting your goals over 24hrs timing is irrelevant.

    No you don't have to use it everyday. As I mentioned above its used to supplement, if you are under your protein goal everyday it will aide you. If you are going above your daily goal, taking it everyday is just going to hurt your pocket.


    The short of it, its no miracle muscle builder. If you struggle to meet your daily protein goal or are in heavy calorie deficit a powder will be beneficial. If you have a structured diet and meet your goal, save your money.


    Wow!! Thank you SO much for making it so clear @JoshuaMcAllister obviously, it's too early in the process for me to judge if I actually need it, but I for sure would rather "eat" my protein instead of going powder. Thanks again!! You made it so simple to understand :smiley:
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member
    ANewWayToLive wrote: »
    JoshuaMcAllister wrote: »
    ANewWayToLive wrote: »
    Hi! I'm totally new when it comes to Protein powder. Everyone seems to use them, add them to shakes and etc but I wonder what's the benefits of it? Should I replace a meal by a protein shake? (Like Slimfast)? Should I take them before a workout or after? And when if I don't lift heavy weights? Should I use protein powder everyday? I have no clue at all!! Looking to get answers to see if it's something I should add to my daily nutrition or not. Thank you :)

    Getting a sufficient protein intake to help rebuild muscle broken down by exercise, or if in calorie deficit to help maintain the muscle mass you have.

    Its not a meal replacement so no. Its used to supplement not replace.

    Timing isn't that important, some say otherwise but as long as you're meeting your goals over 24hrs timing is irrelevant.

    No you don't have to use it everyday. As I mentioned above its used to supplement, if you are under your protein goal everyday it will aide you. If you are going above your daily goal, taking it everyday is just going to hurt your pocket.


    The short of it, its no miracle muscle builder. If you struggle to meet your daily protein goal or are in heavy calorie deficit a powder will be beneficial. If you have a structured diet and meet your goal, save your money.


    Wow!! Thank you SO much for making it so clear @JoshuaMcAllister obviously, it's too early in the process for me to judge if I actually need it, but I for sure would rather "eat" my protein instead of going powder. Thanks again!! You made it so simple to understand :smiley:

    No problem @ANewWayToLive. Keep tracking, monitor and you'll soon be able to gauge if its necessary. Some feel like they need it to hit their goal, I'd rather just have an extra meal.
  • ANewWayToLive
    ANewWayToLive Posts: 31 Member
    I would also go with the extra meal haha!
  • benlinnenkamp
    benlinnenkamp Posts: 8 Member
    Make sure your hitting your protein intake goals everyday even when you do not train. Post workout whey protein is optimal. Just be advised that you do not necessarily need protein shakes, you can get the same quality protein out of foods. The reason people put protein powder on a pedal stool is because it's very covenient and if you get a high quality protein supplement it will have an amazing protein ratio to carbs and fats. Goodluck!
  • ANewWayToLive
    ANewWayToLive Posts: 31 Member
    benlinnenkamp wrote: »
    Make sure your hitting your protein intake goals everyday even when you do not train. Post workout whey protein is optimal. Just be advised that you do not necessarily need protein shakes, you can get the same quality protein out of foods. The reason people put protein powder on a pedal stool is because it's very covenient and if you get a high quality protein supplement it will have an amazing protein ratio to carbs and fats. Goodluck!

    I always wondered why people made it so important. I automatically thought I needed protein powder to actually reach and maintain muscles. I'm very happy this community, including you, is helping me figuring it out!! Thank you very much @benlinnenkamp :smile:
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    edited July 2016
    benlinnenkamp wrote: »
    Make sure your hitting your protein intake goals everyday even when you do not train. Post workout whey protein is optimal. Just be advised that you do not necessarily need protein shakes, you can get the same quality protein out of foods. The reason people put protein powder on a pedal stool is because it's very covenient and if you get a high quality protein supplement it will have an amazing protein ratio to carbs and fats. Goodluck!

    Post workout protein is more questionable. Newer research suggest that carbs + protein either before or after a workout within a 2 hour window may be beneficial but total consumption is probably more important than timing, especially for someone who isnt extremely lean.

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